IT looked like a scene straight out of Fight Club. Jarryd Hayne was flat on his back, eyes rolling around like pinballs and sucking in breaths as the medical staff rushed over.

If Parramatta's star playmaker was looking for sympathy, he was getting nothing from new coach Ricky Stuart.

Under the old regime, training would have come to a halt as the star playmaker was mollycoddled.

Not anymore.

The Eels travelled to the NSW south coast town of Kiama last Thursday and Friday for a 48-hour pre-season camp designed to condition Parramatta into absorbing pain - and thriving on it.

Eels star Jarryd Hayne on the deck after being ironed out in a tackle during Parramatta's training camp in Kiama. Picture: Gregg PorteousSource: The Daily Telegraph

As Hayne limped off clutching his head, Stuart commended the Eels for their intensity and enthusiasm, aware the school-of-hard-knocks attitude is just what the club requires to begin the process of toughening up a soft underbelly.

Branded a rabble after collecting the club's first wooden spoon in 40 years last season, the harder edge for a team that had the NRL's worst defensive record is already evident.

"We came last for a reason last season, we were the worst team. There's no sweetening up a bitter pill, we were the worst team," Stuart explains.

"And we all have to ride with that now. We didn't under-perform, we didn't under-achieve, we were the worst team.

"It's like being addicted to drugs. You can't fix it until you know you are.

"Where I'm really excited by the environment at the moment is that every one of us is wanting to learn and wanting to train. No one's kicking stones.

"We've got a very proud history at Parramatta and some great tradition. It's a new beginning at the club now. It's up to us to set the template for where we want to get to, and that's what's exciting.

"We're not going to be replicating any other style or brand that's been started by some other club, we're going to be setting our own."

Under overcast skies, Stuart called all his players into a huddle and encouraged them to take one knee. The move resembled a play straight out of the NFL - and for

a coach with strong ties to the late Jack Gibson and his right-hand man Ron Massey, it's impossible to miss the irony of Stuart now being the head honcho at the Eels.

"Don't drop off the talk. Communication is the most paramount thing," Stuart tells his players.

"Let's be nice and aggressive."

Chris Sandow tries to break out of a tackle. Picture: Gregg PorteousSource: The Daily Telegraph

With that, the Eels launch back into another round of defence followed by a series of shuttle runs, Stuart barking instructions along with assistant coach Matt Parish and head conditioner Trent Elkin.

The entire training session lasts almost two hours before the squad backs up for an afternoon of weights in the gym.

Form someone who has never believed in short cuts, it's already evident Stuart is well on the way to stopping the rot at Parramatta.

The statistics from last season make painful reading.

According to Fox Sports Stats, the Eels conceded the most points per game (28.1), most tries per game (5), gave up the most metres per game (1437m) and were equal worst with the Warriors for missed tackles per game (34.5).

Prop Tim Mannah, one of the leading candidates for the vacant Eels captaincy, admits the numbers still embarrass the majority of players.

"If you look back at last season, defence was our biggest issue," Mannah said.

Eels forward Tim Mannah is driven back in the tackle during Parramatta's training camp at Kiama. Picture: Gregg PorteousSource: The Daily Telegraph

"We've got players in our team who can score points, but defence was the problem.

"For us, that's going to be a major factor. We need to get some edge back in our defence and some mongrel in our pack.

"As an individual, being part of a team that leaked in so many points, you've got to take that personally."

Ask Hayne what the biggest changes have been under Stuart and the Eels playmaker cracks into a broad smile.

"I was pretty out of it for a little bit there," Hayne said.

Reni Maitua and Tim Mannah putting in the hard yards during the Eels' training camp at Kiama. Picture: Gregg PorteousSource: The Daily Telegraph

"From a physical point of view, everything's been about bashing each other up.

"Stick (Stuart) loves that sort of stuff, he really gets off on it.

"It's going to make us a better club and a stronger group. Everyone's just enjoying ripping in."

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